My Parents Doubled My Rent So My Unemployed Sister Could Move In, So I Moved Out and Took Everything

to build. I could not afford for them to raise rent to punish me.

My anger pressed against my ribs, trapped there.

“Fine,” I said finally, the word tasting like metal. “Vanessa can stay. Temporarily.”

“Wonderful,” my mother said instantly, voice bright like the earlier coldness hadn’t happened. “I knew you’d do the right thing. You girls have fun.”

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